Catching up with JMU Signee Christian Brown
By Houston Wilson
JMU commit Christian Brown recently wrapped up his senior season at Franklin High School and now has his sights set on making an impact with the Dukes. Locker Room Access caught up with the 6’7” forward to discuss his high school career and what drew him to James Madison University.
Reflecting on his final high school season, Brown expressed satisfaction with his performance.
“My senior season went well. Individually, I had a really strong year, averaging a double-double throughout the season. Of course, there were highs and lows, but overall, I feel really good about how it all went.”
When asked about his commitment to JMU, Brown emphasized the strong connection he built with the coaching staff.
“The main reason I chose JMU was because of the coaching staff. They’ve built a great culture, and winning is all Coach Preston Spradlin knows. He’s had three straight 20-win seasons as a head coach, which is really important to me. When he and his staff were at Morehead State, I built a great relationship with them. As soon as they moved to JMU, they offered me right away, and that staff has always held a special place in my heart.”
Brown also highlighted what he values most about JMU beyond basketball.
“JMU really has everything you could want in a college. The academics are strong, the campus is beautiful, and the location is great—you’re close to so many major cities. The athletic department is top-notch, but outside of sports, it’s just a great place to be.”
The school’s passionate fan base also played a significant role in Brown’s decision.
“The people and the culture at JMU stand out the most. The fans show so much support for JMU Basketball, and that really means a lot to me. I wanted to be somewhere with a tremendous fan base, and this past weekend at the Sun Belt Tournament, I saw that firsthand. The hotels were packed with JMU fans, which just showed how well they travel and how dedicated they are to the program.”
Another factor that impressed Brown was the university’s facilities.
“I was really blown away by the facilities. For a mid-major program, they have facilities that are on par with high-major schools. That’s a big reason why they’ve had so much success in recent years.”
Brown is confident that his skill set will complement JMU’s playing style.
“I think I’ll fit in really well. From what I’ve seen on TV and in person, they like to push the pace, run in transition, and get easy buckets, but they can also stretch the floor and shoot from deep. My inside-out game should fit right into their system. Defensively, I’m versatile and can guard multiple positions, so I think I’ll be a great addition to their lineup.”
JMU capped off the regular season with a share of the Sun Belt title before falling to Troy in the conference tournament semifinals. Brown shared his thoughts on the team’s success under Coach Spradlin in his first year leading the program.
“I was really impressed with their season. It’s not easy to build chemistry when you bring in a lot of transfers, and there were question marks about how they would gel. But like I said, Coach Spradlin and his staff are winners. When they went on that 10-game Sun Belt winning streak, I could see the program moving in the right direction, and their regular-season championship proved that.”
As for what JMU fans can expect from him, Brown didn’t hesitate.
“They can expect a winner. I’m very competitive, and I’ll always do the little things to help my team succeed. I’m a blue-collar player—I’ll crash the boards, dive for loose balls, and do whatever it takes to win. That winning mentality is something I always bring to the court.”
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